I do not celebrate the pilgrims part of Thanksgiving. It’s a day for turkey, family, and fun. Who doesn’t love that? You don’t have to bring history into it, and I highly recommend you don’t, because of all the “our country has no bad history whatsoever” retcons done by 19th century authors. Our history is a mess. But family and food is always nice.
Things have changed a lot since I was a kid. On Thanksgiving morning we got up and watched the Macy’s parade. Then we went to grandma and grandpa’s for dinner (my grandma made everything from scratch). My aunt and uncle and their kids would be there. It was a great time. Later on we ate at home and my mom made the dinner. I’d wake up to the smell of the turkey baking in the oven and it was heavenly. The advantage to eating at home was the leftovers. I don’t remember anyone arguing politics.
I’m Canadian, so on Canadian Thanksgiving, we don’t worry about the Pilgrim stuff we just worry about the Turkey. On American Thanksgiving, we’re too busy working to think of anything except Black Friday.
Sorry but the “real history” you were taught was just as fictional.
The real history involves the Pilgrims settling in an area made vacant by disease and attempting socialism which resulted in starvation and many deaths so they went back to a free market economy and with the voluntary help from natives managed to turn their economy around and they leaved at peace with those natives for decades with several natives actually joining the colony.
Later new colonists who did not share the pilgrim belief system moved into the area. A native blamed these new colonists for the murder of a member of the tribe and the tribe prepared for war and the new colonists beat the tribe in conflict and the remains of that tribe joined other tribes.
Since I have an ancestor who came over on the Mayflower as an indentured servant, I do recognize the role the Pilgrims and the Native Americans played in the thanksgiving. But I also recognize the bad parts of it.
when I was a little kid, my sister and I got to see the parade live in New York, except that we were too short and mostly we saw other people’s back sides. As an adult, I moved to Atlanta and found out that they had a Macy’s parade there, too. Later, Macy’s gave it up and it became the Eggleston’s Christmas Parade. I now watch the parade on T.V. do a bit of cooking, watch the dog show. Pester my hubby. We moved too far away and live in too small of a place for family to come and visit. For a number of years we were the family hub for holidays. Now the kids have to have their own traditions with their own families.
I believe it is possible to do both; recognize mistakes made, and also celebrate the bounty that we have. Lets learn from our mistakes and give thanks for the riches we enjoy and move forward in gratitude with an attitude of working to make it better for all.
diazch408 about 1 year ago
Come on, hearing about kids arguing about politics (more relevant than five years ago) is why you need Thanksgiving! Don’t be a Grinch!
doctorwho29 about 1 year ago
It’s a day to be thankful, no matter what the history. It’s a good holiday
leopardglily about 1 year ago
I do not celebrate the pilgrims part of Thanksgiving. It’s a day for turkey, family, and fun. Who doesn’t love that? You don’t have to bring history into it, and I highly recommend you don’t, because of all the “our country has no bad history whatsoever” retcons done by 19th century authors. Our history is a mess. But family and food is always nice.
markkahler52 about 1 year ago
Eat. Eggnog. Football. Bedtime. Best Holiday EVER!
jaydogg187 about 1 year ago
Playground politics: You don’t want to go there.
Macushlalondra about 1 year ago
Things have changed a lot since I was a kid. On Thanksgiving morning we got up and watched the Macy’s parade. Then we went to grandma and grandpa’s for dinner (my grandma made everything from scratch). My aunt and uncle and their kids would be there. It was a great time. Later on we ate at home and my mom made the dinner. I’d wake up to the smell of the turkey baking in the oven and it was heavenly. The advantage to eating at home was the leftovers. I don’t remember anyone arguing politics.
Ida No about 1 year ago
For kids, “politics” is all about who is cool and why you don’t want to be seen with your little brothers (or twin sisters).
bmckee about 1 year ago
I’m Canadian, so on Canadian Thanksgiving, we don’t worry about the Pilgrim stuff we just worry about the Turkey. On American Thanksgiving, we’re too busy working to think of anything except Black Friday.
SquidGamerGal about 1 year ago
Really? There’s no solid proof of that and you know it!
Kilrwat Premium Member about 1 year ago
OR, you could CHOOSE to not overeat and spend a day being thankful for the myriad blessings of living in the US, warts and all.
Ellis97 about 1 year ago
Miles speaks the truth. They lied to us for years! Thanksgiving is a sham! Curse you, Charlie Brown Thanksgiving! Curse you!
DM2860 about 1 year ago
Sorry but the “real history” you were taught was just as fictional.
The real history involves the Pilgrims settling in an area made vacant by disease and attempting socialism which resulted in starvation and many deaths so they went back to a free market economy and with the voluntary help from natives managed to turn their economy around and they leaved at peace with those natives for decades with several natives actually joining the colony.
Later new colonists who did not share the pilgrim belief system moved into the area. A native blamed these new colonists for the murder of a member of the tribe and the tribe prepared for war and the new colonists beat the tribe in conflict and the remains of that tribe joined other tribes.
Lynnjav about 1 year ago
Since I have an ancestor who came over on the Mayflower as an indentured servant, I do recognize the role the Pilgrims and the Native Americans played in the thanksgiving. But I also recognize the bad parts of it.
Can't Sleep about 1 year ago
Being a kid isn’t as easy as it used to be.
snowedin, now known as Missy's mom about 1 year ago
We celebrate Thanksgiving, because it’s a day of thanks!
BeniHanna6 Premium Member about 1 year ago
Oh dear God, save us from the social crusaders that love to tear up traditions without have any good replacements.
car2ner about 1 year ago
when I was a little kid, my sister and I got to see the parade live in New York, except that we were too short and mostly we saw other people’s back sides. As an adult, I moved to Atlanta and found out that they had a Macy’s parade there, too. Later, Macy’s gave it up and it became the Eggleston’s Christmas Parade. I now watch the parade on T.V. do a bit of cooking, watch the dog show. Pester my hubby. We moved too far away and live in too small of a place for family to come and visit. For a number of years we were the family hub for holidays. Now the kids have to have their own traditions with their own families.
Mike Baldwin creator about 1 year ago
The kid has a point, but then again, don’t they always?
DonKellyStudio about 1 year ago
Guess I missed out on the Political Roundtable as a kid since I was pretty much the only kid at the table for some years.
6turtle9 about 1 year ago
I believe it is possible to do both; recognize mistakes made, and also celebrate the bounty that we have. Lets learn from our mistakes and give thanks for the riches we enjoy and move forward in gratitude with an attitude of working to make it better for all.
Chris Sherlock about 1 year ago
Come on, Miles…can’t we just get beyond Thunderdome?
RoolDeeWurldMan about 1 year ago
It tickles me that these kids talk ‘Politics’ and that he knows what a THUNDERDOME is!!